“On the one hand, I think I should be the one to escort Caroline north, but that will mean I will be gone for at least a fortnight. However, on the other hand, I would like to learn how to manage an estate so that I can see if it is something that I want rather than taking an active role in managing the business my father began,” Bingley said after a while.
“Does doing the first preclude you from the second?” Darcy mused.
“No, I suppose it does not,” Bingley decided. “But do you think that estate management is for me?”
“That is one of those questions you need to answer for yourself. In my opinion, you should allow yourself to mature before you can decide that for yourself. As you are now, you can be called capricious, and that is not a trait which helps you run an estate when so many are dependent on the decisions you make.”
“That is how people see me?” Bingley queried.
“Some,” Darcy replied. “I remember you once saying something like ‘when I am in the country, I never wish to leave it, and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either.’ Is that accurate?”
“Yes, indeed, I did say that,” Bingley owned.
“That shows your indecisiveness. If you are to be a master of an estate, it is a commitment, and the estate’s needs will have to come before any entertainment you may enjoy.” Darcy paused and allowed his words to sink in. “Now you tellme, is that the kind of thing you are ready to commit to today?”
Rather than give a quick, glib reply, Bingley truly chewed on Darcy’s words. After some minutes he turned and faced his friend. “I do need to discover if it is for me, but I am not ready yet.”
“In that case, you know what your decision is, do you not?”
“Yes, I do. As Mr Bennet requested, I will stop and see Mr Phillips on my way to London. At least other than paying for Caroline’s breakages, I will receive my money back. It is impressive that the landlord is able to refund my money without it causing hardship to him.”
‘You have no idea,’ Darcy thought, ‘Mr Bennet’s wealth makes me look like a pauper.’ “I am sure he has that covered,” he said aloud.
“What of you, Fitzwilliam, and de Bourgh? Will you need to return to London?”
“No, we are being hosted at some of the houses in the area. You saw my Fitzwilliam aunt and uncle at the assembly, did you not?”
Bingley allowed it was so.
“As they are her guardians, my sister is in the neighbourhood as well.” Darcy paused as he thought over his next words carefully. “I do not want to sound condescending, but I think you are doing the right thing, and once you allow yourself to mature, I believe you will be a man who knows what he wants.”
After the two clapped one another on their backs, Bingley went to issue instructions to his valet and Darcy called for his horse to ride to the dower house. He knew that seeing his family was his excuse, but the reality was that he wanted to see the woman who had the finest eyes and quickest mind. It was early days yet, but Darcy had a suspicion that he may have met the other half of his heart.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
By the time Bingley reached Hurst House on Curzon Street the next day, he had prepared himself for the coming confrontation with his younger sister. He was certain she would not agree with his decision, but that would not sway him.
Hearing Caroline’s screeching caused Bingley to pause before he entered the drawing room, but rather than weaken his resolve, he stiffened his spine. “Caroline! I can hear you from outside. It sounds like the daughter of a fishmonger is inside hawking her father’s wares. What is causing all of this caterwauling?” He demanded.
The reactions in the room were very different. Hurst was grinning at Bingley’s intervention, Louisa looked pleased that her brother had seen fit to take their spoilt sister to task, and the subject of his harangue stood in the middle of the room with her mouth opening and closing while no sound was emanating from the open orifice. To the Hursts who had been dealing with one of Miss Bingley’s tantrums, the quiet was a gift to their ears.
“What caused our sister to behave in this fashion this time?” Bingley enquired. “Surely she has not forgotten what occurred in Hertfordshire and is now demanding to return to men who abhor her company?” Bingley questioned. “Really Caroline, you want to be seen as a lady, yet you behave like a petulant child.”
“How dare you speak to me in that manner?” Miss Bingley shrieked as she lifted her hand to slap her brother.
“Slap me, and I will withhold your allowance for a year complete,” Bingley said perfectly calmly without moving a muscle. “And how dare I? No, Caroline, how dare you? I am the head of the Bingley family, and not you. So what will it be?”
Miss Bingley saw a hardness in her brother’s look she had never seen previously and could not like it. How could shework on a resolute Charles? She lowered her arm.
“Now I want to know what caused this temper tantrum,” Bingley repeated.
“As those foolish men missed the honour of me marrying them, I need to find an appropriate candidate in town, so I need a new wardrobe, I cannot possibly…” Miss Bingley stopped speaking when her brother raised his hand.
“Louisa, I assume you and Hurst refused to take her shopping when she recently spent hundreds of pounds on clothing, most of which she has never worn, not to mention the many never used items from the previous times shejust had topurchase more?” Bingley saw his sister nod. He turned to his younger sister. “You have trunks full of clothing you have never worn. I will not pay for one more item of clothing until I am sure you have need for it.”
“I MUST HAVE NEW!” Miss Bingley screamed. “I cannot be seen in old clothing.”
“In that case, as a few thousand pounds worth of clothing you have purchased are no longer wearable, according to you.” She nodded her head with a knowing gleam in her eye. “I will deduct all the wasted money and overspending of your allowance from your dowry. All accounts will be closed, and you will only purchase what you can pay for yourself. If you have some shop send me an invoice, I will let them know you have defrauded them, and they need to collect the money from you. If you cannot pay, you will go to debtor’s prison until you are able to pay what is owed.”
